19/06/2024
United Kingdom
Ascot
Prince of Wales's Stakes Day
Day Two at Royal Ascot didn’t disappoint with some sparkling performances from horses and riders in equal measure.
Auguste Rodin bounced back to his best in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, showing his grit and high-class form to repel French challengers Zarakem and Horizon Dore at the finish.
Before that, rider Ryan Moore had partnered Illinois to victory in the Queen’s Vase, in the process recording his 80th Royal Ascot winner.
Another jockey to record a double on the day was Oisin Murphy, who partnered Wild Tiger to win the Royal Hunt Cup, having first given the John & Thady Gosden-trained RUNNING LION a well-judged ride from the front in Duke of Cambridge Stakes.
It marked an overdue win for the daughter of Roaring Lion, and was a win that was chosen as the World Pool Moment of the Day.
Murphy was on hand to collect the £4,000 prize on behalf of Running Lion’s groom Kieran Holmes, and praised the work he has done with the four-year-old filly: “Well done to everyone at Clarehaven Stables and particularly Kieran. It takes a lot of hard work to get these horses to the races in the best condition possible, and then they have to perform.”
It was owner David Howden’s first Royal Ascot winner, and he could not hide his emotion after his filly crossed the line.
Murphy said: “I’m delighted for David [Howden], he’s a wonderful man to work for and it meant a lot. This one I’m sure he’ll cherish.”
Holmes will now have a chance of winning a VIP trip to Hong Kong should Running Lion’s success be chosen as the World Pool Moment of the Year.
Oisin Murphy praises RUNNING LION’s groom Kieran Holmes after collecting the £4,000 Moment of the Day prize on his behalf.
